Not a winner but a first.

These two images are nowhere near good enough to post really, they are soft and noisy. But as a record of seeing a bird I had never seen before I thought you might like to see him.
Unfortunately it was a busy sunny Sunday afternoon along the coast and my wife and I were taking a stroll along the beach and as all keen photographers, took my camera, hoping to catch a few seabirds in flight. Alas there were none around but a few sparrows collecting nest material deep in the bushes. On our walk back skywatching I just caught, out of the corner of my eye, some movement and bird appeared on a rock some distance away. I moved a little closer and took a grab shot from far away not having time to check my settings (bad boy) just in case I disturbed him. Just then a kid ran up the beach and shoo'd him, to say I was annoyed would be polite, little ******, so I got the one pretty poor grab shot. I persuaded my wife to rest for a while and we took a bench for half an hour hoping for his return, alas not a sign. So reluctantly we moved on. Just a short time later further along the beach he appeared again but even more distant. Trying to be more stealthy I kept low and tried to get closer. Flighty birds these and again he took to the air but landed only a short way away I took the opportunity to grab another distant shot but again he was gone. The tale of the not too close disappearing Wheatear.
So here they are, two grab shots, handheld, distant, soft on focus and grainy with added heat haze. I don't expect these to do well but it's a record of seeing my first Northern Wheatear, a beautiful dainty bird.

Thursday morning I am hoping to go to the WWT at Arundel so if anybody wants to join me they are more than welcome and I would be pleased to have their company.

Thanks for all the C&C's on my uploads they are very much appreciated and I haven't seen so many Awww's before on the last pic.

Many thanks, have a great week.
Steve.
P.S.
You are welcome to play with them and improve them as my skills with PS are not that good.

Photography is as much about taking a fleeting opportunity, as it is about setting up a staged shot, you obviously have high standards, I like both these images, as all above have said,
well done on taking the opportunity,
Adrian

Photography is as much about taking a fleeting opportunity, as it is about setting up a staged shot, you obviously have high standards, I like both these images, as all above have said,
well done on taking the opportunity,
Adrian

Two grand record shots for you and pleased you got them as I am beginning to understand the need for them ..... as a member of WWt would love to be there Thursday but my boss may have other ideas ! Colin

Two grand record shots for you and pleased you got them as I am beginning to understand the need for them ..... as a member of WWt would love to be there Thursday but my boss may have other ideas ! Colin